Unlocking 100%: Calculating Completion Percentage in Tears of the Kingdom
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So, you’ve braved the depths, soared through the skies, and conquered Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Congratulations! But how do you know just how complete your adventure truly is? Unlike some games that clearly display a running completion percentage, Tears of the Kingdom keeps its cards close to its chest. You can only see your completion percentage after defeating the final boss and the displayed number overlooks certain elements of the game. After you have vanquished Ganondorf, load the last auto-save file before the final battle. The save file will have a star to show that you’ve completed the game, and your completion percentage will be viewable on the map screen.
The specific formula for the completion percentage in Tears of the Kingdom remains officially undisclosed by Nintendo. However, the community has pieced together a pretty accurate understanding of what contributes to that elusive number. It’s map completion, plain and simple. Discovering locations, activating towers and shrines are all integral to increasing that percentage, and Korok seeds are a vital element in the calculation. It excludes side quests and the story elements.
What Counts Towards 100% Completion?
The Tears of the Kingdom completion percentage is calculated using the following formula:
(Number of Map Locations Discovered + Number of Shrines Completed + Number of Lightroots Activated + Number of Korok Seeds Found ) / Total Possible Locations * 100
- Map Locations: Discovering all named locations on the surface and in the depths.
- Shrines: Completing all 152 shrines scattered across Hyrule.
- Lightroots: Activating all Lightroots in the Depths mirrors the Shrine locations on the surface.
- Korok Seeds: Finding all 1,000 Korok Seeds spread throughout the world.
The percentage is heavily weighted towards location discovery. The community consensus indicates that each location point is weighted more than shrines, lightroots or Korok seeds. Discovering every named location on the map is the key to maximizing your percentage.
What Doesn’t Count Towards 100% Completion?
Several aspects of the game, no matter how time-consuming, do not affect the percentage shown on your map:
- Side Quests and Adventures: Completing these doesn’t contribute.
- Main Story Quests: Only defeating the final boss unlocks the ability to view completion.
- Armor Upgrades: Maxing out your armor sets is purely for player benefit.
- Inventory Upgrades: Getting all those Korok seeds only gets you more inventory slots.
- Compendium Completion: Filling out your Hyrule Compendium is a separate achievement.
- Mini-Games: Mastering all the mini-games scattered across Hyrule is its own reward.
So, What’s the Point of Completion Percentage?
Ultimately, the completion percentage in Tears of the Kingdom is less about a comprehensive checklist of everything you’ve done and more about exploration and discovery. It’s a way to encourage players to explore every nook and cranny of Hyrule. It encourages players to discover all the Shrines, Lightroots, Korok Seeds and Map Locations. While it doesn’t encompass every activity, it does reward thorough exploration.
For players deeply interested in game design and learning through play, organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) offer valuable insights into how game mechanics, such as completion percentages, impact player behavior and engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does finding all the Korok Seeds really matter for 100%?
Yes! They are tedious to collect all 1,000, but each one counts towards that completion percentage. However, their individual impact is small compared to discovering a new location. If you only have found 1 korok and dupe the seed to get 900, you still have 999 seed marks on the map missing.
2. Is there any reward for reaching 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom?
There is no in-game reward for reaching 100% completion, other than the personal satisfaction of achieving it. The rewards are earned along the way as you complete shrines, upgrade armor, and expand your inventory.
3. How long does it take to get 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom?
This varies wildly based on play style. Some players have achieved it in around 236 hours.
4. Do I need to find every single treasure chest for 100%?
No, treasure chests are not tracked for the completion percentage.
5. If I beat the final boss and then reload a previous save, can I still see my completion percentage?
Yes, your completion percentage will be tracked on any save file created after defeating the final boss, even if you load an older save. The save file will have a star on it.
6. What happens if I start a new game? Does my old completion percentage carry over?
No, your completion percentage is specific to each save file. Starting a new game means starting from 0%.
7. Does unlocking all the Great Fairy Fountains count towards 100%?
Unlocking the Great Fairy Fountains does not directly contribute to the completion percentage. However, upgrading your armor at the Fountains does not contribute to the completion percentage.
8. Are there any missable locations that can prevent me from reaching 100%?
No, there are no truly missable locations. Every area can be revisited at any point in the game.
9. Does completing the Hyrule Compendium count towards 100%?
No, the Hyrule Compendium is a separate collectible objective and does not factor into the map completion percentage.
10. Is it possible to get stuck at 99.99%?
While theoretically possible due to rounding, this is extremely unlikely. Double-check every corner of the map and consult online resources to ensure you haven’t missed a small location.
11. Do the locations on the sky islands count toward the map completion?
Yes, every location on the surface, in the sky, and in the depths contributes to the overall map completion percentage.
12. What is the hardest part of achieving 100% completion?
Most players agree that collecting all 1,000 Korok Seeds is the most challenging and time-consuming aspect, due to their sheer number and often obscure locations.
13. Can I use a guide to help me achieve 100% completion?
Absolutely! Using guides and maps is perfectly acceptable and can save you a considerable amount of time and frustration. The goal is to enjoy the game, after all.
14. Does playing on Master Mode affect the completion percentage?
No, the game mode does not affect the completion percentage. It simply changes the difficulty of enemies and adds floating platforms.
15. Will there be DLC that adds to the completion percentage?
As of now, Nintendo has stated that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom.
Final Thoughts
Chasing 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom is a journey in itself. While the specific formula focuses on map discovery, the true reward lies in the experiences and memories created along the way. So, grab your paraglider, your Ascend ability, and get exploring! The vast and wondrous world of Hyrule awaits.